Beginning Farmers/Ranchers in California – 2018

Harness the Power of Holistic Management

The School of Adaptive Agriculture in Willits, CaliforniaFALL 2018 – REGISTRATION COMING SOON

“There is hope for all of us! I can make this happen.” – former program participant

Only $700 for this 10 Session Certificate Course

2nd Person From Same Farm Only $300

Money Back Guarantee

Payment Plan Available

Scholarships Available

FSA Training Credit Approved

Limited Spots – Apply Today!

Our Beginning Farmer Program in California is open to new and seasoned farmers/ranchers/land managers who want to learn how to holistically manage their business.

Program graduates will walk away with the network, skills and confidence needed to build successful, sustainable agricultural enterprises, as well as a Certificate of successful completion. Our Holistic Management curriculum focuses on business planning skills, time management, soil fertility management, and profitable sustainable livestock and crop farming practices.

The Program

Classroom learning complements on-the-land exercises in our Beginning Farmer Training Program. There will be time in class to network with others and get feedback on class assignments.

Participants will develop a whole farm goal, a draft business plan, as well as both financial and marketing plans while learning how to improving time management, leadership, and communication skills. You will receive a certificate for successful completion of this course.

Our course includes 60 hours of training across ten sessions. Class size is limited to allow interactive learning, so we encourage you to register early.

HMI is pleased to announce that this program qualifies for FSA Borrower Training Credit in California. Find out More.

Agenda and Location

The School of Adaptive Agriculture
16200 North Hwy 101
Willits, CA 95490

Our ten-day course is taught over approximately 2 months, meeting on Fridays and Saturdays from 9am to 4pm and includes classroom and interactive on-the-land learning.

Intro to Holistic Management, Creating Your Holistic Goal
Create a Whole Farm Inventory to better understand the “Whole Under Management” and draft a Holistic Goal for the farm which will guide future decisions

Time Management​, Testing Decisions
Create a Time Management Plan to be sure all the tasks for every enterprise can happen without crowding and overlap. Learn to test decisions towards the Holistic Goal to minimize unintended consequences.

Financial Planning 1
Create a Holistic Financial Plan for the farm, analyze each enterprise and the month-to-month cash flow, and learn how to plan for profit.

Financial Planning 2
Create a Holistic Financial Plan for the farm, analyze each enterprise and the month-to-month cash flow, and learn how to plan for profit.

Business Planning
Create a Business Plan that helps focus the operation and can be used for borrowing and seeking investment

Marketing
Learn different marketing strategies and create a Marketing Plan that supports the Holistic Goal.

Leadership and Communication
Learn to communicate better with others, build an effective management team and become a better leader.

Land Planning
Learn how to create landscapes and infrastructure for maximum ease and productivity; create a Holistic Land Plan and learn how to implement it in conjunction with the financial plan.

Grazing or Cropping Planning
Discover how to plan for improved ecological, economic and social outcomes with planned Grazing or Cropping. Learn soil building techniques, how animals impact the land and how to maximize positive effects by creating a Holistic Plan.

Soil Health
Learn about Ecosystem Processes and the effect different tools have depending on the climate. Learn to read the land and create a Biological Monitoring Plan that provides information for better decision making.

Registration, Costs and Scholarships

Cost for the entire 10 session Certificate program is only $700. Cost for a 2nd registrant from the same farm is discounted to only $300. A payment plan for $749 in 3 payment installations is available as well.

We ask that you bring your lunch to each day of training as meals will not be provided.

Money Back GuaranteeHMI stands behind our training programs. If you participate fully in this training program by attending all sessions and completing all assignments satisfactorily, and if you are not completely satisfied within 10 days of program completion, we will refund your registration fees.

Instructors

Our course instructors are Holistic Management Certified Educators and Whole Farm Trainers. Many of them farm themselves, and all have a proven track record teaching practical skills you can really use. You’ll find them to be knowledgeable, accessible and approachable. All Certified Educators go through a rigorous training program and are dedicated to maintaining the highest professional standards.

What Students Had to Say About the
Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Training They Received:

“Being involved with this program has been significant for me — It’s given me a completely new approach to planning for my own land and farming aspirations.” – Jessie Schmidt, First Branch Farm

“Thank you so much for your HMI program! I will never be the same. My heart has found “my place”. These tools gained have totally enhanced my life and my small farm to be sustainable. I can hardly wait to see what happens on this adventure.” – Joanna Lewis Goldman, The Farmer’s Daughter

Thank you to the generous support of our Sponsor for helping to make this program possible:

Sponsor This Series

Our Beginning Farmers and Ranchers program offers organizations, agencies and businesses a great opportunity to network with farmers, ranchers and consumers interested in sustainable agricultural ideas, products and services. We offer a variety of affordable Sponsorship Opportunities to connect you with our community. Please email Stephanie von Ancken at [email protected] for more information.